Artwork

Kapur

Kapur, by Marie-Louise Carven, 1959
Kapur, by Marie-Louise Carven, 1959

Kapur is a drawing by Marie-Louise Carven. It dates from 1959 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.

About this work

Overview

Kapur is a fashion design drawing created by Marie-Louise Carven, founder of the Carven fashion house, circa 1959. It showcases a woman's ensemble consisting of a fitted jacket with a textured pattern and a flared skirt, accompanied by a back view sketch.

Subject & Meaning

The subject of Kapur is a stylish outfit designed for a petite woman, reflecting Carven's focus on catering to this demographic. The overall design embodies the elegance and practicality characteristic of Carven's approach to fashion.

Technique & Style

The drawing highlights Carven's penchant for delicate materials, implied through the textured pattern on the jacket, suggestive of lace or gingham. The inclusion of a back view sketch demonstrates attention to detail and functionality, typical of Carven's design process.

History & Provenance

Created around 1959 by Marie-Louise Carven, Kapur represents her innovative contribution to Parisian couture, particularly through her early adoption of ready-to-wear lines since founding Carven in 1945.

Context

Kapur reflects the late 1950s fashion trends with its fitted jacket, flared skirt, gloves, and low-heeled shoes, while also showcasing Carven's signature style that emphasized lightweight fabrics and petite-friendly designs.

Legacy

As a work by Marie-Louise Carven, Kapur contributes to the legacy of Carven's influence on accessible, high-quality fashion for petite women, marking an era in Parisian couture's evolution towards ready-to-wear.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Marie-Louise Carven

Artist

Marie-Louise Carven

Marie-Louise Carven (31 August 1909 – 8 June 2015), born Carmen de Tommaso, was a French fashion designer who founded the house of Carven in 1945.